Two men have been charged after a newly-installed Paddington Bear statue in Newbury was sliced in half and stolen from its bench in a shocking act of vandalism.
Daniel Heath, 22, of Oakhall Park, Thornton, West Yorkshire, and William Lawrence, 22, of John Street, Enderby, Leicestershire, have been charged with criminal damage following the incident, which occurred shortly after 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 2.
Statue Recovered, Community Reacts
The statue, which was part of the Paddington Visits national trail celebrating the beloved character’s third movie, was removed from Northbrook Street, where it had been installed in October 2024. Police have since recovered the missing section, though the statue has now been fully removed from the site.
In place of the statue, local residents have left jars of marmalade and bread—a nod to Paddington’s signature snack.
Community Shock and Disappointment
The statue was originally placed in Newbury to honor Paddington Bear creator Michael Bond, who was born in the Berkshire town. It was one of 23 Paddington-themed installations across the UK.
Lee Dillon, Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury, expressed his disappointment, stating: “Heartbreaking to see that Paddington in Newbury has been vandalised. He brings so much joy to our community. Just yesterday, I stopped to take a photo of him with my family. This senseless damage is so disappointing.”
Trish Willetts, CEO of Newbury Business Improvement District (BID), echoed the sentiment: “We are shocked and heartbroken to see such a senseless act of vandalism has taken place in our charming market town. While this is a truly sad moment for Newbury, the outpouring of support seen online really highlights the strong community spirit that defines our town.”
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Heath and Lawrence have been charged and are expected to appear in court at a later date. The incident remains under investigation, with authorities urging anyone with further information to come forward.
The loss of the statue has sparked widespread disappointment, but community members remain hopeful that Paddington Bear will once again find a place in Newbury.
